Wilson makes it to finals

HARRISONBURG — Wilson Memorial survived a valiant Page County effort holding on for a five-game win on Wednesday night in the Shenandoah District semifinals at Eastern Mennonite University.

The Hornets were up 2-0 on the Panthers before they pushed it five games as the Hornets came away with the victory 25-22, 25-16, 23-25, 19-25, 15-6.

Neither the Hornets nor the Panthers could take control early as each team exchanged point for point. With the score tied at nine the Hornets took control.

A Kayla Guy kill and back-to-back aces by Noël Bartley put the Hornets up for good as they capitalized off Panther mistakes to take Game 1 25-22.

The Hornets fed off their emotion into Game 2 taking an early 9-2 lead. The Panthers rolled their way back into the game with a couple of aces from Kori Jenkins.

Wilson kept their composure as Guy put Wilson back in front with an ace and a kill. Guy and Bartley’s presence at the net led to tips and blocks and the Hornets were able to win the game 25-16.

The Hornets were only one game away from advancing to the District Tournament championship match when the Panthers put up an iron curtain to ruin the chances of a sweep sweep.

The Hornets took complete control of the third game with a commanding 17-5 lead, but the Panthers came roaring back.

The Panthers rolled off the next 16 points and got back into contention. Wilson hung tough with the Panthers, but the momentum carried to a Panthers’ win.

“We fooled around a little too much and let them back into the game,” said Guy. “They gave us all they had.”

The Panthers had taken all the momentum from the Hornets as they controlled the fourth game attacking the net and putting the Hornets back on their heels.

The Panthers were able to return the Hornets kill attempts every time forcing a fifth game.

Wilson coach Kim Claytor gathered her team in a huddle as she tried to regroup the Hornets before their fifth game.

“I told them we were district champs and we had to go out there and play like district champs,” Claytor said.”

In the fifth the Hornets responded to Claytor’s plea, as they were able to take control. Taijah Jones rolled off eight straight service points to put the Hornets up late and back-to-back kills by Bartley gave the Hornets the win.

“We let up tonight and I think you are going to see a very different team tomorrow night. Page is a scrappy team and if you let them get back into it they will,” Claytor said.

The Hornets’ Bartley is excited about the chance to become Shenandoah District tournament champions.

“I am looking forward to tomorrow night,” Bartley said. “We are going to have to play better and not let up no matter what.”